A17385:744
A17385:744
A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St. Peter Wherein are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very useful application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabetical table, not formerly published.A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St. Peter VVherin are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very usefull application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabeticall table, not formerly published.
London: printed by Miles Flesher and Robert Young, 1637
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fourthly, praise and applause is sometimes as the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, Prov. 27.21.
Fifthly, one special way, by which God tries men, is by false Prophets, and that is, by suffering their dreams, or signs, or words to come to pass, Deu. 13.1
Fiftly, one speciall way, by which God tries men, is by false Prophets, and that is, by suffering their dreams, or signs, or words to come to passe, Deu. 13.1
Sixthly, God tries men by afflictions and tentations, so commonly it is meant, and so here: now God hath two furnaces of afflictions; there is the furnace of his fury, Ezech. 22.21, 22. &c. The other is the furnace of mercy, and this is here meant.
Sixtly, God tries men by afflictions and tentations, so commonly it is meant, and so here: now God hath two furnaces of afflictions; there is the furnace of his fury, Ezech. 22.21, 22. &c. The other is the furnace of mercy, and this is here meant.
Now the trial in affliction is not simply or properly the affliction it self,1 but certain specialties of consideration in the affliction: and thus God tries us, ⟨p. 65⟩1. First, when he sends many crosses one in the neck of another, and some of them of longer continuance, Dan. 11.33, 35. and so in Jobs case. 2. Secondly, when he sends upon our spirits strange and unwonted terrors, Exod. 20.20. 3. Thirdly, when he smites some eminent men with sore, and unexpected judgements, Dan. 11.34. 4. Fourthly, when he delayeth or withholdeth expected favours, Deu. 8.2. 5. Fifthly, when he gives but a little help, Dan. 11.34. 6. Sixthly, when he leaves us to our selves, and withdraws the special working of his spirit, 2 Chron. 32.31. 7. Seventhly, when he suffers us to fall into the same miseries that wicked men do, yea sometimes making our condition to be as the beasts of the field, Eccles. 3.17, 18, 19.
Now the tryall in affliction is not simply or properly the affliction it selfe,1 but certaine specialties of consideration in the affliction: and thus God tries us, ⟨p. 65⟩1. First, when he sends many crosses one in the neck of another, and some of them of longer continuance,
1. For first it is a comfort, that God makes so much account of men, as to think them worthy the melting or trying: even this favour Job wonders at, Joh 7.18.
1. For first it is a comfort, that God makes so much account of men, as to think them worthy the melting or trying: even this favour Iob wonders at, Ioh 7.18.
2. Secondly, it is comfortable, that it is Gods wont to try his servants, it hath been Gods custom to do so. It is no strange thing, if he try us, he doth no more than what he hath done to them that were dear unto him, Heb. 11.36.
2. Secondly, it is comfortable, that it is Gods wont to try his servants, it hath been Gods custome to doe so. It is no strange thing, if he try us, hee doth no more than what hee hath done to them that were deare unto him, Heb. 11.36.
3. Thirdly, it is especially comfortable, if we consider out of other Scriptures the manner of Gods compassion and care for his people, when they be in the furnace. For
First he appoints their time how long they shall tarry there, and beyond that time they shall not be in the furnace, Dan. 11.35.
Secondly, the Prophet Malachi says, he sitteth down himself by the furnace to tend it, and to look to them, Mal. 3.2. or if he be upon any occasion urged to be absent, the Prophet Isaiah says, he flies, and returns, Isaiah 31.9. and ult. &c.
Secondly, the Prophet Malachy saies, he sitteth down himself by the furnace to tend it, and to look to them, Mal. 3.2. or if he be upon any occasion urged to be absent, the Prophet Esay saies, he flies, and returnes, Esay 31.9. and ult. &c.
Thirdly, if they have any suit to God, or make any moan while they live in the furnace, they are sure to be heard, no time like it for the hearing of prayer, Zach. 13.9.
Thirdly, if they have any sute to God, or make any moane while they live in the furnace, they are sure to be heard, no time like it for the hearing of prayer, Zach. 13.9.
Fourthly, if the fire be too hot for them, he will defer his wrath, and refrain from them, Isaiah 48.9, 10.
Fourthly, if the fire be too hot for them, he will defer his wrath, and refraine from them, Esay 48.9, 10.
Fifthly, he will take notice of a little grace in the midst of a great deal of dross: if there be but a sigh, a good thought, a holy desire in the midst of a great deal of ignorance and perturbation, he will accept it, and account of it, Rom. 8.27.
Fiftly, he will take notice of a little grace in the midst of a great deale of drosse: if there be but a sigh, a good thought, a holy desire in the midst of a great deale of ignorance and perturbation, he will accept it, and account of it, Rom. 8.27.
4. Fourthly, it is a comfortable doctrine to Gods children, if they consider but the effect of this melting, and that either the present effect, or the future. The present, it is to try them, not to consume them, or to make a full end of them: it is to refine them, not to destroy them, Dan. 11.36. Jer. 46. ult. and they shall come out, as Job saith, as the gold, Job 23.10. And besides, for the time to come, it is certain, the Lord tries them, that he may do them good at their latter end, Deut. 8.14, 15, 16. and after they are tried they shall have a crown of life, Jam. 1.12.
4. Fourthly, it is a comfortable doctrine to Gods children, if they consider but the effect of this melting, and that either the present effect, or the future. The present, it is to try them, not to consume them, or to make a full end of them: it is to refine them, not to destroy them, Dan. 11.36. Ier. 46. ult. and they shall come out, as Iob saith, as the gold, Iob 23.10. And besides, for the time to come, it is certaine, the Lord tryes them, that hee may doe them good at their latter end, Deut. 8.14, 15, 16. and after they are tryed they shall have a crowne of life, Iam. 1.12.
And thus of the Use for consolation.